Method for imprinting and filling a pattern in an asphalt surface.

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a method of imprinting and filling the imprint to create a decorative pattern on an asphalt surface. The asphalt is heated to a pliable state and a preformed grid is pressed into the pliable asphalt and removed to expose an impression in the asphalt. In one embodiment a liquid coating is poured into the impressions but not onto the adjacent surface. In another embodiment a liquid coating is forced out of a calking gun into the impressions but not onto the adjacent surface. In a third embodiment a coating is spread over the entire surface and wiped clean using a rubber squeegee leaving only the imprint filled. In the final embodiment a strip of plastic is placed into the imprint and bonded in place by either adhesive or heat setting.

Various apparatuses and methods have been devised to create a decorativeappearance on an asphalt surface. Most of these methods require a liquidcoating to be applied to the entire surface of the asphalt. Thesecoatings do not resist the abrasion of vehicular traffic and wear offthe surface of the asphalt in a short period of time. This inventioncreates a decorative pattern imprint or cavity to apply a coating into.The top of the coating is level with the top surface of the asphalt.Vehicular traffic abrasion does not cause severe wear to the coating inthe cavity. This method provides an extended life for the decorativesurface.

(FIG. 1) A heating device 16 is used to bring the asphalt surface 10 toa pliable state.

(FIG. 2) An imprinting tool 14 is placed upon the asphalt surface 10.

(FIG. 3) A compaction tool 12 is place upon the imprinting tool 14 topress the imprinting tool into the asphalt surface 10. The imprintingtool 14 is then removed from the surface of the asphalt to reveal animprinted cavity.

(FIG. 4) A liquid coating 20 is poured 22 into the imprinted cavity 18and not onto the adjacent asphalt surface.

(FIG. 5) Another method of filling the imprinted cavity 18 is using acaulking gun 24 to direct the liquid coating 20 into the cavity and notonto the adjacent surface.

(FIG. 6) Yet another method of filling the imprinted cavity 18 is topour the liquid coating 20 onto the asphalt surface 10, filling theimprinted cavity 18 and depositing coating on the adjacent asphaltsurface 10, then wipe the surface substantially clean using a rubbersqueegee 26.

(FIG. 7) A final method of filling the imprinted cavity 18 is to placestrips of material 28 into the imprinted cavity 18 bonding these stripsto the asphalt using heat or adhesive.

1. A method of imprinting a pattern and filling the imprinted pattern onan asphalt surface comprising: heating the asphalt surface to a pliablestate; pressing a pattern tool into the pliable asphalt to form animprinted pattern, removing the tool and filling the imprinted pattern.2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the imprinting tool is apredetermined pattern constructed of plastic.
 3. A method according toclaim 1, wherein the imprinting tool is a predetermined patternconstruction of metal.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein thefiller material is a liquid and is poured into the imprint and not ontothe adjacent surface.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein thefiller material is a liquid and is forced out of a caulking gun into theimprint and not onto the adjacent surface.
 6. A method according toclaim 1, wherein the filler material is spread across the entire surfacearea and the surface wiped substantially clean using a rubber squeegeeleaving only the imprint filled.
 7. A method according to claim 1,wherein a strip is place into the imprint.
 8. A method according toclaim 7, wherein the strip is constructed of a thermoplastic materialand is heat set to form a bond.
 9. A method according to claim 7,wherein the strip is constructed of a plastic or rubber material and isbonded using pre-applied adhesive.